Bishops’ welcome IICD announcement on IRA decommissioning

26. Sep, 2005

PRESS RELEASE

26 SEPTEMBER 2005

Bishops’ welcome IICD announcement on IRA decommissioning

The Catholic Bishops of Northern Ireland meeting this evening in Maynooth, on the eve of the September General Meeting of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, issued the following statement in response to today’s announcement of complete decommissioning on the part of the IRA by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) and the two independent witnesses, Rev Harold Good and Fr Alec Reid.

“We welcome the confirmation by the IICD and the two independent Church witnesses that the IRA has honoured the commitments set out in its statement of 28th July 2005. This represents an immensely significant confidence-building measure in favour of a more peaceful and stable society in Northern Ireland. Today’s announcement is a vindication of the efforts undertaken by all those who have, over the years, courageously worked to replace violence with dialogue.

“We hope that all who exercise leadership will continue to affirm the political process as the means to resolve any remaining issues in the search for peace. We call on all other paramilitary groups to affirm their commitment to exclusively peaceful and democratic means.

“We wish to congratulate General John de Chastelain and his colleagues for their professionalism, thoroughness and patience. We wish also to commend the judgement and integrity of Rev. Harold Good and Fr Alec Reid, two men who have, for many years, consistently and generously committed themselves to the resolution of conflict in our society.

“While we acknowledge today’s long awaited achievement, we are mindful of all those who have suffered as a result of violence, and we keep them in our prayers.”